Ross Detwiler faces Zack Greinke in the series finale at Dodger Stadium.

As the Nationals wrap up their series in Los Angeles, Bryce Harper again finds himself on the bench watching as a spectator, still held out after Monday night's nasty collision with the right field fence. The club remains confident he did not suffer a concussion on the play, but obviously he's still bruised up and needs a bit more time to heal before re-taking the field.

Harper's teammates can only hope to have more success at the plate tonight against Zack Greinke than they did last night against Clayton Kershaw. Greinke returns after missing a month with a broken collarbone, suffered during a bench-clearing brawl with the Padres.

Ross Detwiler starts for the Nationals, looking to even his record at .500, not to mention catapult his team into first place. Yep, the Braves already lost today in Arizona, so a win tonight would move the Nats into a tie atop the NL East.

Seems like Bryce has been sick to his stomach, bruised in the ribs, banged in the chin and otherwise not up to par an awful lot. Add to that cold ALR and Zim, banged up Werth, a frigid bench , a polar Espi. I am thankful beyond belief that we are above water. Does anyone have any idea when we might have our full lineup, healthy and in baseball shape? Come on, guys, get healthy!!!

I was never as big of a BJ Upton fan as BJ Upton is a fan of BJ Upton.Also, as hot as his brother Justin started out at the plate, I also saw that he has been charged with 3 errors in the outfield already. Maybe I'm tough, but 3 errors in LF is a ton at this point in the season, IMHO.

"natsfan1a said… I've never met Upton, so I have no idea whether or not he is (or has, for that matter) a hemorrhoid. I'm also not inclined to give a lot of weight to rumors or secondhand reports. (Likewise, I'm not a mind reader, so I don't have much of a clue who is or is not desperate for a winner, unless they tell me so point-blank.)But I digress. I've not seen all that much of Upton on the field, certainly not enough to evaluate his worth, even if I was of a mind to, which I'm not particularly. That, and stats kinda bore me. What's a fan to do? Guess I'll just have to trust the GM, scouts, and miscellaneous FO types to know what they're doing. 😉 November 28, 2011 11:02 AM"Hey Ghost, I'm being neighborly here and found this insightful analysis of a BJ Upton rumored trade by NatsFan1a in 2011.

Nats1924 said… These three for Upton…- Detwiler- Norris and/or Flores- LombardozziThis should be sufficient enough December 06, 2011 4:36 PM I found this but I was looking at the person who was proposing JZim and Desi as a throw-in freebie.

I found this but I was looking at the person who was proposing JZim and Desi as a throw-in freebie.Well if it was me it wasn't that I was suggesting it I was wondering about how much it would've cost at the time. And rumors said Rizzo was very strong on the Upton brothers as you yourself conveyed about Justin. And as we found out later the Nats were in on Justin just as you surmised.I'm not a big fan of going outside for players. Unless there's a huge hole that must be filled. In the very recent past there were enormous craters that may or may not be filled by either prospects, a trade, or a free agent. I find it interesting that the guys Rizzo let go (Morse/DeRosa) are doing a bang up job for their respective teams.In addition I would ask GoSM if he agrees that there is a some sort of odd connection whereby the Toronto BlueJays get insider dope on Nats players and even coaches/FO folks. Does it have its origins in the fact the two were once the only two Canadian franchises? Is it a cabal of friend in the FO's of the two franchises?

Steve M. said… Observations from the last week.1) Espinosa is struggling again at the plate and when you look at this team winning, they need him. Unfortunately even before this mini-slump he has the worst swing & miss percentage of all the players on the team. Good time for him to lay down a bunt or 2 for a hit and get his confidence back.July 25, 2011 12:09 PM As I was looking for some BJ Upton posts I came across this that I wrote on Espinosa back in 2011. Yep, he led the Nats back then in swing & miss.

peric said… In addition I would ask GoSM if he agrees that there is a some sort of odd connection whereby the Toronto BlueJays get insider dope on Nats players and even coaches/FO folks.They had hired some low level scouts 2 years ago. DeRosa was there for the taking for anyone. Still need to see how long he stays healthy.Morse when healthy is one of the best bats in baseball. He's getting healthy again from the broken pinky.

And June is coming up which is typically when Rizzo et al make decisions about changes before they have to go off and focus entirely on the draft. I find it somewhat coincidental that Haren's sudden surge toward reliability, consistency, and quality starts happens and then Danny Rosenbaum suddenly takes a bit of a nosedive on his start. Its hard to imagine but I do think players watch the majors and may have their own strong ideas about who they might replace were they to be called up.

As I was looking for some BJ Upton posts I came across this that I wrote on Espinosa back in 2011. Yep, he led the Nats back then in swing & miss.In 2013 he is still a distant second in this category to one Adam LaRoche.

But yes, statistically? There is a higher probability (let's use advanced stats and not look at numbers again) … much higher probability of a swing and miss from T-Mo at this point … 19% of Danny's plate appearances result in a swinging strike out.19.7% of Adam LaRoche's plate appearances result in a swinging strike out.26,7 of the Sharks's plate appearances result in a swinging strike out.28.2% of Chad Tracy's PA's result in a swinging strike out.31% of T-Mo's plate appearances result in a swinging strike out.

Peric compare the fork in the road and look at the last 10 days for all those players. TylerMo needs to take a flight with Espinosa back to 'Cuse and bring Marrero or Micah Owings to San Diego a long with Rendon.

"Whynat said… Hey 1A – count me as a fan. You bring a much needed sense of humor and perspective around here."Ok then. She's a comic. Here I've been taking her writings and cutdowns as serious ribbing. I'm an armchair GM with a sense of humor. Remember that the next time you read my garbage.

peric, it's weirdly refreshing to see you acknowledge that about LaRoche v. Moore 😉stats are stats. I find it oddly interesting that all three of Davey's favorite pinch hitters (excluding Lombo) are right at the very top of the strike out list. AND of them only T-Mo is the legit power impact bat and those types can be prone to strike outs. Its why Danny is so high. He wants to be one them there types. And I suspect his rotator cuff ain't goin' to let him.

Game 40 complete we have a milestone. Now the sample size is large enough to apply advanced stats and make some predictions. That may be why Rizzo and the FO wait until just after this to make any changes. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the very near future.

The biggest risk to Harper by far is the reckless way he plays. He is going to end up like Pete Reiser if he doesn't change his ways. It is one thing to play in an aggressive manner but quite another to play recklessly.

Ghost Of Steve M. said…natsfan1a, what's this about? Upton, so I have no idea whether or not he is (or has, for that matter) a hemorrhoid.May 15, 2013 8:25 PM Well, SteveM, evidently it's about "Harpo" calling me out again. I did not remember the post to which my quoted 2011 comment referred, so I looked it up in the November 2011 archives at left, which you could just as well have done for yourself, given the date and time stamp. Anyway, below is the post to which I responded. I'm going to bed now. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow, folks.Theophilus said… "Bowdenball" likes BJ Upton. How appropriate. Probably liked Jose Guillen, Elijah Dukes, too. Likewise Anonymous whose "only concern about Upton" is that the guy is no leadoff hitter. Somewhere in time, you people need to learn to subordinate your desperation to win — and that is what it is, desperation, and it has just as much hope — to the satisfaction of fielding a team of players who you can actually support. There's absolutely no fun in watching a player who (A) is as likely as not to strike out trying to hit a five-run homer and (B) is such a knucklehead that you secretly hope he does just that. BJ Upton couldn't lead the '27 Yankees to a pennant. Sign him and get a walking hemorrhoid. Please, let him "find himself" in some other town. November 28, 2011 10:53 AM

I will save my it for every other post. 3 years running. Will do so until Rizzo wises up.I bet he didnt tell him not too. The coach should be coaching some ever play.detwiler why give away to the other pitcher? I guarentee he won't let you have an RBI hit

Det keeps trying to throw the breaking ball when Ramos catches him, it seems. Not a huge fan. He's at his best when he just keeps locating the fastball low.The Nats have had some trouble with pitcher at-bats this year, huh?

If RD is actually hurt and in pain, he should admit it like a man, go on the DL, recuperate, then return. I'm tired of seeing players try to "suck it up for the team" just to implode on the field and contribute to another Nats loss.

It's a mystery to me why anyone would pick a fight with 1a after all the good will and useful information she's contributed to this blog over the years, particularly someone who, supposedly, started commenting here just a few weeks ago. Actually, it's not a mystery. We all know who you are, and your pugnacious act is tiresome and kind of pathetic. Many of know 1a personally and consider her a friend. You should be should be ashamed.

Eric said… Zim just redeemed two throwing errors.Det, get well man. May 15, 2013 11:08 PM _______________________________That's just ridiculous. Those types of things don't cancel each other out. Wish they did.

179 at bats for Greinke now 5 doubles and 3 homers none to right. Shark probably a little deep.now 2 for 4 RISP for Dodgers.Also our series with a homer. Streak in jeopardy.Another called 3 rd strike that was right over the plate. One of our biggest weakness at the plate.

There's no admitting it, I'm pretty sure from the coaching staff's reaction they know he's not entirely right. If he doesn't go on the DL, it's because they think he can pitch through it. Whether that's right or not we don't know.All right, Adam!

"That's just ridiculous. Those types of things don't cancel each other out. Wish they did."LOL! Thanks for keeping me in line. I'll go dig me serious pants out of the laundry…;)No, but really, Det REALLY needed that.

Espi has the biggest swing in Washington since Austin Kearns. I would love to watch a tape of his swing (right or left-handed) with Eckstein and identify ANYTHING that is different from last year.Espinosa sucks.

NatsLady said… Someone want to tell me again Rizzo isn't good at trades. Say "hello" to Kurt Suzuki. May 15, 2013 11:25 PM _____________________________I will agree on some of his trades but Kurt Suzuki was there for any team who wanted to absorb his salary. This trade was a money dump by the A's and in case anyone forgets, Kurt's A's slash was .218/.250/.286/.536 He was benched.Has it turned out good? Yes, but this wasn't thievery like Morse for Langerhans.

David, that's what I mean. Werth isn't here. Just don't let anything happen to Suzuki. I seriously would have burnt Perez as a pinch runner for Ramos rather then send Suzuki in cold to run. And, man, Zook's was cold, with no thought he'd play tonight.

as Ramos got injured Big Cat called me for a rules question in high school baseball.Espi came up and as we predicted he would strike out missing the ball by a foot or so. I think he does need his eyes checked.Big Cat told me o ignore tge Eck lovers. great advise.Stammen looked good.If we botger to stay up late to watch this and then go to work, they should st least win the series.

I guess we've all worked in a bunch of organizations. The great ones I've worked in had a vibe, a tangible sense of culture, a sense of "winning."This group just doesn't have the vibe of 2012. I know we could be in first place if we pull this game out tonight, but this group is just different, in a negative way.I think the cultural difference in this team–the plain loss–is Morse. I mean, Nats fans are still singing his song at the 7th inning stretch–how pathetic is that?We have exchanged the sunny, optimistic, Washington-reflecting Mikey Mo, for the taunt of the shirt-pull of Soriano.It just doesn't feel right for Washington.

Lombo is not much better than Espi except he usually hits the ball, bu twice he made third out where a hit would bring RZim up with guys in scoring position..I see Big Cat used the same line he used on the phone. Greinke and Espi similar strike outs.

Why not Stammen to start if Det is on the DL?Very good choice, wonderful idea. Two caveats.1. Stammen and Mattheus are the most effective relievers in the bullpen right now. Soriano is on the fence. The others are struggling to some extent.2. Strammen has problems getting through five innings as a starter in the major leagues with his retinue of pitches.

Someone want to tell me again Rizzo isn't good at trades. Say "hello" to Kurt Suzuki.And don't forget Espinosa is the hot swappable replacement for Desmond with nothing lost defensively at shortstop. There is no one else in the organization capable of that.

Well-made counter-argument, David Proctor. Georgetown Law clearly gave you all the tools you need for incisive, insightful debate.I hesitate, as a laymen, to summarize the majesty of your counterpoint. Still, haltingly, I try and capture your message.Please, Your Honor, see if I've captured your intellectual summa here:"Oh give me a freaking break, do1teach1."Wow. Can't wait to hear your oral arguments before the Supreme Court of the United States.

For the folks who get annoyed when we ask for ecks head: just to give you an example of a couple extraordinarily obvious hitting issues which a hitting coach should have really addressed or tried to address: Bernadina is lunging at the plate so that his head is moving in the load position. You don't have a prayer of making contact when your head is so free and destabilized. He also is upper cutting under every pitch (EVERY. PITCH) by dropping his hands. Espinoza hips are flying open as he brings his leg kick down so that he is either under pitches or unable to get to them. Desi although he's been solid recently went up tonight and pulled off pitches first at bat. Same second at bat. Now it's unfair to demand results, but it's fair to ask why no adjustments whatsoever are being made to players swings when they are going up to the dish with a clear mechanical flaw.

I'm just sick on all these injuries. Then I get to watch Espinosa. Greinke throws him a mistake pitch that should have been hit out and Espi whiffs at it.And Danny just happens to be one of those who are injured. He may be pulling the LaRoche of 2 years ago. He may after all need that surgery to his shoulder. But if you lose him and Desmond goes down. Then what? Think about that for awhile.

I don't have a problem with asking for Eck's head. There are legitimate argues against Eck. My issue is with MNF because he/she feels the need to bring it up in every. single. post. It's tiring to read over and over and over.

I happen to agree that the Morse excuse is just that. For instance, Stras isn't 1-5 because Mikey isn't DJing in the clubhouse or whatever.The only sad thing about the A Ha tune is that it became a thing in the first place. JMO though 😉

i believe that was the first at bat in LA that RZim had a bad approach.Pitch on the outside black and tried to pull it for odd reason. 90% of the tim is simple ground out. So it makes no sense to do.The rest of the series he has driven to right and looked great.Not sure why the change.

Well-made counter-argument, David Proctor. Georgetown Law clearly gave you all the tools you need for incisive, insightful debate.I don't think he was insulting you do1teach1 I believe he was taken aback in surprise. Your observations are provocative and certainly a feasible explanation for some of what we've seen so far. Throw in the loss of DeRosa Davey's original choice for right handed bat off the bench …

As to Espinosa needing an eye exam: it may be true, but it wouldn't do any good what so ever if he doesn't keep his head down on the ball. He's been seriously throwing his head out every left handed at bat for days.Maybe he should bite his shirt like Bryce did a few weeks ago.

The only sad thing about the A Ha tune is that it became a thing in the first place.People like to try to hit the high note and laugh at themselves. And cheer themselves for trying.Think Michael Morse slapping his helmet telling himself I done good! Then getting Jayson Werth to do it when he was in that slump. The seem to fit with each other … Morse was kind of a lovable geek. Perfect for DC.

It's Digging Up Old Posts Night?? Cool.I found some:natsfan1a said…Harpo was probably my fave, 'cause he was so sweet. April 16, 2012 10:26 AM Section 3, My PFB Sofa said… I started out a Groucho acolyte, but came around to Harpo, for the same reason. Chico was apparently a very charismatic guy (hence the appellation–he was Prince Charming, not Prince Faithful). Someone (I forget who) said of them, that if you talk to Chico for five minutes you'll think he's the greatest guy in the world. If you talk to Harpo for five minutes, you'll think you are.What a great quality in a person.

Actually I only bring up the removing of Eck, when there is a obvious situation where you can tell a flaw in the approch was repeated from the previous game. it becomes obvious they are not communicating.Just saying.Would stop al together if the poor effort would stop.

And peric is correct about Danny's value as the only viable emergency shortstop, and also on Stamman's value in the pen. Let's hope Det's pull, or whatever it is isn't serious.Question: if a batting coach works with a player, points out what he's doing wrong, and then the player continues to do the same thing, is it on the coach?

In fact I would on his bandwagon if we were third in runs scored instead of third from the bottom.Easy fixHow long til Espi is on yhe bench. Comes up 3 times with man on twice in scoring position and he is terrible. Last one he jogged to first.

"I like Take On Me"I just personally can't stand herd activities like that. Nothing against people getting into it, just don't get the appeal. Same thing with the wave.Of course, that said, the movement to kill the wave puts me on the side of the wavers 😉

I just personally can't stand herd activities like that. "Herd activities" … well, I suppose. I prefer to think of them as rituals, part of the liturgy in the Church of Baseball. Besides, we are herd animals. People who want to be a lone wolf don't know anything about wolves. (Not that you did that, it just makes me want to go get Marshall McLuhan.)

David P. it's one night. So what if he's 0-3. That guys a high 270 plus hitter full time, and a wayyyy better fielder than we give him credit for. Im bummed about the injuries…but at least it's early.Wait! Can we still say that FO???Ps: don't make fun of typos – wtf? That's just dumb. Most of us have big thumbs on 4-9inch pads. Pick your battles….

Mannassas Nats. Agreed, but I think it was less him trying to pull it and more that he got fooled with off speed and rolled over the ball simply by being of in front. You never of rarely see RZimm hit off speed to right…usually he pulls that stuff and drives fastballs to oppo field. That's why soft stuff away is a good pitch. To summarize, I think Zack just made a solid pitch and fooled him…not so much a worse approach. Thoughts…

""Herd activities" … well, I suppose. I prefer to think of them as rituals, part of the liturgy in the Church of Baseball. Besides, we are herd animals. People who want to be a lone wolf don't know anything about wolves."Not to get to far afield, but I'm not a fan of rote ritual in general (see: Macarana, religious services). I am all about developing meaningful rituals on the "pack" level though.Decent at bat from Moore… too bad about the outcome.

But Manassas, if he'd swung at a ball and struck out we would have criticized him for that too. He didn't do anything wrong in that at-bat.They're bringing in a new pitcher to face Lombo. LOL Mattingly.

Do1teach1 I don't know you all that well because I'm not a super consistent poster, but the lawyer jokes are fairly annoying . They're just not that clever and the general snugness is vaguely intolerable. Now I am in fact a law student so perhaps it only seems stale because I hear nerds making the same comments a bunch, but still, on behalf of everyone….we get it. Ur making fun of somebody else picking law as a profession but not showing sophisticated deductive reasoning. Please no more. And with that I ask: what precisely makes Bernadina more worth playing than eury Perez, who's also a speedy and excellent outfielder but has a decent plate approach?

I'm not a fan of rote ritual in general (see: Macarana, religious services). I am all about developing meaningful rituals on the "pack" level though.Interesting position, coming from a Deadhead. ; )I'm curious what would constitute "meaningful" in the context of thousands of people drinking beer and watching a kids' game being played by millionaires.

"Interesting position, coming from a Deadhead. ; )I'm curious what would constitute "meaningful" in the context of thousands of people drinking beer and watching a kids' game being played by millionaires."Pretty much nothing that extends beyond the people I'm there with…As for being a deadhead, I always wanted to attend shows in a business suit because everyone else always showed up in essentially the same uniform.

I'm in LA tonight, can't get to the game. 😦 I did get to hear Espi's rally-killing groundout called on the radio. Bottom line – he is pressing, injured, or both. For his own good, as well as that of the team, Espi needs to sit, at least for a couple games. If nothing else, it will give him a chance to rest his shoulder and perhaps for the doctors to do some tests on it. Maybe he can even see Werth's Dr.? If Bryce is back, then Lombo will play 2nd and continue to get AB's, which he needs.Espi can also go see the eye Dr. to make sure he is not legally blind.

Just getting exuberant, and hoping to stay out of the double play if LaRoche doesn't get him in. Which he should have, there, CMON!! An aggressive rookie, a hot LH hitter up, no outs. Yes, I was kidding. I just wanted to say it first, because, well, then I'd be first!

This is exactly what's wrong with the nationals… To be an elite club they need to be able to manufacture a run. They are too flukey. Sheesh, love me some Nats but we need to learn how to play the game right fellas…

We need a fly ball by either ALR or Desi neither bother to do a deep enough one.Syzuki we dont need a fly we need a hit, and he hits the fly.Go figure.All Desi needed was contact with JZim running and swings hard through it.thats approach again. with 2 strikes and you want to make contact you shorte the swing Been that way sincefirst watched ball in 1959. No Desi swings hard anyway. Which is fine only if you make contact.You can fill in the rest about not nderstanding the need at the time.

First and third and nobody out, and I'm waiting for the bunt, from a Nats team that cannot score runs.The bunt never comes, even though our fastest runner is on third.The lack of imagination in our coaching staff is staggering.

So I guess Storen in all his years in the minors literally never learned how to hold anybody on base. Just do the weird dead leg thing despite the fact that it takes 20 minutes? Is that how it works? This team's really lost it. Not sure how. But whatever it was, they dont have it this year. That's the most negative thing I've ever posted in this space. I've been a believer since the beginning. But tonight was pathetic in almost every respect, Stammen being the exception.

It just happened AGAIN!Again, going back to Game 5, Storen fails to hold the runner, who steals in the 8th inning with NO THROW.This is a joke bullpen. I heard a call on 106.7 to Rizzo before Game 5 last year, asking if our relievers would learn how to hold runners. Rizzo said no sweat, we've got that covered.Then it happened in Game 5.Now it happens every night, including tonight. Paging Mr. Rizzo?

You know the hitting approach of ALR and Desi made no sense, but again. i am not surprised as their not stressed to do the crect swing.Storen I dont get him at all. last 5 appearences have drove me crazy. He needs to solve his problemFor those who lost track we are 0 for 7 RISP.

Sheeeeesh. The inability to grind out a run when you need to, or come through in the clutch is most frustrating. That's the difference between good teams and elite teams. Love my Nats but man… Heartbreaking that we have such great potential, but don't come through when we need to

Crawford understood exactly what do .Storen las 2 games has been pitiful. Created Cub disaster and made this almost impossible. thanks Drew.Just for you David Proctor I am pretty sure Eck will say nothing to the guys.

We were in this same exact position last year at the end of the dodger serious… Not a déjà vu I wanna have. We need to get it together and grind out some wins and not make every other teams 1-5 pitchers look like Cy Young winners…

I just don't understand how night after night people are just showing up and failing. Every night. Storen blows the lead. Next appearance. Loads the bases up and cant keep the game close. Danny. Can't make contact. Bernie. Can't make contact. T Mo. It's just remarkable. Does this coaching staff even give a damn at this point? You have professional. baseball players. Unable to put the ball in play. Every night. Zero sign of improvement. Zero sign of making adjustments. You tell yourself it can't keep going on like this because nobody besides the Mets and Marlins are so anemic, and this team was picked to win the WS. And yet there they are, going up 1-2-3 each inning. It's amazing to watch. Chances Danny fails to make contact here are astronomical.

They can be a game out of first all season long. As long as every team in the NL East keeps losing.The point is they're not scoring runs when they should and giving them up when they shouldn't.The blame game is a beautiful thing but I can see ONE change has to be made.Surgery or beautiful upstate NY.Simple.

p.s. there will be no pissing and moaning if we make the playoffs, at least not from me. There will be pissing and moaning when Danny Espinosa gets playing time. Until he doesn't, because he doesn't belong in the major leagues.

A simpler way of looking at it is unless this team cares about this season, this season is lost. If not for JZimm this season might be already.And Sec3 duly noted. Followed this team since "69.But this is embarrassing. Fundamentals are lacking everywhere. And decisions are questionable.

Lost two series against two worst team each division.If there is no self-destruction by their starting pitcher, Nats cannot overcome one or two run deficit no matter who starts for us. Randy, Pedro you name it.This line-up needs surgery. Bench players hitting avg is below 0.150, avg OBP of whole line-up is worst in baseball, and our great prospect Danny StrikeOut Espinosa is the second worst hitter in All baseball. We cannot fix all of these offense problem at a time, only thing we can hope is let Davey retire quickly and have a nice day at caribean shore.Don't waste your 3 hours watching whole game.Chk it out on gameday and get back to TV when things get fixed.

Well, that was annoying. Not sure the Dodgers are the worst team in the NL West, I think the Padres are. But that eighth inning was a killer, top and bottom. Dodgers were motivated to win this for Greinke. We gotta get moving. Luckily, for right now, the Barves are barfing, and the Fillies lost.

"Let's hope Det's pull, or whatever it is isn't serious."Davey said in the post game that it was a muscle spasm and that it wasn't serious. Hope he's right. Detwiler has been solid all year, with little run support.Davey was much more concerned about Ramos. Same hamstring as last time, and he will be out for a while.

"Laddie, we can survive with Suzuki. But I hope Werth's hamstring is healed."I really like Suzuki. He's such a small guy for a catcher that he needs a day off, now and then, to keep from running down. He started to hit, again, after Ramos came back, and his workload was reduced.Werth should be back soon. He played a few innings in Potomac tonight and had a hit, and an outfield assist. Last year the Nats had injuries early on to major players , but they usually were able to eke out the wins in low scoring games. Having Werth and Harper back, soon, will change the lineup and give them a psychological boost. Davey needs one.Davey looked really down in the post-game presser. This season is starting to wear on him. Tomorrow is a great opportunity for Strasburg to come through with a clutch win, put the smile back on his skipper's face, and make everybody happy.Hey, we're still only 1 game back, and we've got our numero uno going tomorrow night. Strasburg could put us back into a 1st place tie.

Davey is reaping the what comes from country club spring trainings. He let them do their own thing. He encouraged them to work 90 mins or less a day. That is what 10 year olds practice in little league. He trusted them to get ready and they are not…it is too late now.

Man… This team does not take advantage of opportunities. We should be 2 games up on the braves right now. But our offense continues to let us down over and over again without so much as a whisper of change from Rizzo or Davey. Its really frustrating knowing that this team has basically lost if the other team scores first. It could be one run in the first inning and I'd bet that these guys wouldn't be able to get it back. I'm so tired if the total lack of situational hitting on this club.

0 for 9 RISPLombo twice ended innings with base runner (s) on and didn't all RZim to hit. Then the time he leads off he hits and RZim gets a hit.Espi 3 times the catcher gets a hit and Espi follows with an out (i believe all final outs). Ten the last at bat leads off with a hit.Both those guys were in position to really help the cause, bu couldn't get hits when it mattered most.

Watched the whole game as I always do, but, took Coach SJM's advice and slept on it before posting as much as I was tempted to after the 8th. I am still frustrated and mad. The injuries had NOTHING to do with 3 so called solid hitters STINING it up with lame hits and KO's. This is so typical of a 500 team that is over rated, one night a the hot hitters cool donw and the 1 for 15 guys hit with of course nobody on base. Reminds me again of the sorry Senators of 1971. ALR, lame pop out and Desomond's KO was simply TERRIBLE. Worst of all is Storen…I forgave him for game 5, but i will tell you, his performances keep reminding me of game five and I am getting done with him, as I said he is has let his team down time and time again, not that t would have mattered in the 9th as the Nats bats are PATHETIC!